AOL Backup: Restore the Affected Screen Name's Filing Cabinet from a Backup Copy

The AOL® software automatically backs up the Filing Cabinet every four weeks. You can use this backup copy to restore your Filing Cabinet. If a backup copy is not available, but you have an older copy of the Filing Cabinet on your computer, you can use this to restore those files.
You may wish to print or save a copy of these instructions as this page may not remain visible as you go through the suggested steps.
Information You Need
You will need to know what version of the AOL® software you are using. Determine If I Have the Latest AOL® Software Installed has instructions on how to check what version of the AOL software you are using.
Restore the Filing Cabinet from a Backup Copy
When you restore your Filing Cabinet (Personal Storage), the backup copy of your Filing Cabinet replaces your current Filing Cabinet. If you have stored any e-mail in your current Filing Cabinet, it will be lost. Make sure you have access to the e-mail in Old Mail before replacing the current Filing Cabinet files with the backup copy.
Notes:
You must be signed off of the AOL® service in order to restore your Filing Cabinet.
One-click Fix is currently not compatible with Windows® Vista™.
To restore the filing cabinet via one-click fixes:1. On the Windows taskbar next to the clock, click the AOL® icon, then click One-click Fixes.2. On the AOL® One-click Fixes page, next to Categories:, click the General PC link.3. In the General PC section, next to Turn on Windows Automatic Update, click the Fix It For Me button.4. Click the Continue button.5. Click the Done button.If the AOL® One-click Fixes page or the Turn on Windows Automatic Update option cannot be found, please download the fix.To download the Turn on Windows Automatic Update One-click Fix:1. Go to http://fixes.aol.com/landing/start/ocfdownload.html.2. On the AOL® One-click Fixes download page, next to Categories: click the General PC link.3. In the General PC section, next to Turn on Windows Automatic Update, click the Download One-click Fixes button.4. Click the Download and Install Now button.5. Click the Run button in the pop-up window. If a second security window pops-up, click the Run button again.6. Once the installation is complete, click the Launch button.7. On the AOL® One-click Fixes page, next to Categories:, click the Connectivity link.8. In the General PC section, next to Turn on Windows Automatic Update, click the Fix It For Me button.9. Click the Continue button.10. Click the Done button.
To restore your Saved on My PC (Filing Cabinet) folder using all versions of AOL® 9.0:1. Above the AOL® toolbar, click the Mail menu, then click Mail Settings.2. In the Mail Settings window, click the Manage Saved Mail button, then click Restore.3. In the Restore Your Personal Storage window, click the Yes button.4. Click the Save button.
To restore the contents of your Filing Cabinet using AOL® 6.0, AOL® 7.0, or AOL® 8.0:1. Above the AOL® toolbar, click the File menu, then click Filing Cabinet.2. In the Filing Cabinet window, click the Manage button, then click Restore.3. In the Restore Your Personal Storage window, click the Yes button.4. Click the X in the upper right corner to close the Filing Cabinet window.
Back to Top
Manually Restore the Filing Cabinet
If you do not have a backup copy of the Filing Cabinet or the backup copy has been corrupted for some reason, you can manually restore the Filing Cabinet from another copy (usually found in the Saved on My PC folder). This can sometimes result in some data loss, if you have stored any e-mail in your current Filing Cabinet, because you will be replacing it with an older copy. Make sure you have access to the e-mail in Old Mail before replacing the current Filing Cabinet files with an older copy.
To manually restore the Filing Cabinet:1. Close the AOL software.2. Click the Start button, then click Search or Find.3. Click For Files and Folders..., All Files or Folders..., or Files and Folders....4. In the Search for files or folders named, All or part of the file name:, or Named: box, type the screen name that has the missing Filing Cabinet information, then click the Search Now or Find Now button.5. When the search is complete, click the Name column heading to sort the results by name.6. Select the appropriate screen name with no extension after it.
Note: Make sure you do not select the screen name file with the damaged or missing data. If you are not sure which file this is, look at the Date Modified column. The screen name file with the most recent data belongs to the copy of the AOL software that was most recently used. This will be the copy with the missing or damaged Filing Cabinet data. Do not select this file.
7. On the menu bar at the top, click the Edit menu, then click Copy.8. Click the Start button, click Programs or All Programs, select America Online, then click AOL System Information.9. Click the Folder, Data Folder, or Open Data Folder button.10. Double-click the Organize folder.11. On the menu bar, click the Edit menu, then click Paste.12. Click the Yes button if prompted to confirm file replacement.13. Click the X in the upper right corner to close the Organize folder window.14. Click the Close button to close the System Information window.15. Sign on to the AOL service and check to see if you can view your Address Book or Filing Cabinet.